Start with the right information
A good consultation is not about arriving with every answer. It is about giving the planning team enough context to identify the relevant controls, risks and next steps. Bring the property address, a simple description of what you hope to achieve, and any plans, photos or correspondence you already have.
It also helps to be clear about your priorities. Are you testing whether an extension is likely to be feasible, planning a new dwelling, or considering a more complex development? A short list of questions helps focus the discussion on the decisions that matter most to you.
Leave with a clear next step
Before the meeting ends, confirm the recommended next action, the information still needed and the likely sequence of approvals. That could mean a planning search, a site review, concept design work or a formal application. A clear scope and timeframe make it easier to move from an initial idea to a confident decision.